Intelligent Adjustment of Screen Refresh Rate

The present application for patent is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/619,086 by RANJAN et al., entitled “INTELLIGENT ADJUSTMENT OF SCREEN REFRESH RATE,” filed Mar. 27, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/691,678 by RANJAN et al., entitled “INTELLIGENT ADJUSTMENT OF SCREEN REFRESH RATE,” filed Mar. 10, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/917,529 by RANJAN et al., entitled “INTELLIGENT ADJUSTMENT OF SCREEN REFRESH RATE,” filed Jun. 30, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/955,916 by RANJAN et al., entitled “INTELLIGENT ADJUSTMENT OF SCREEN REFRESH RATE,” filed Dec. 31, 2019, each of which is assigned to the assignee hereof, and each of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The following relates generally to electronic devices and more specifically to a dynamic screen refresh rate for an electronic device.

Screens are widely used by various electronic devices such as computers, wireless communication devices, mobile devices, cameras, televisions, and the like. Screens may be used to display content (e.g., information or graphics) related to an application being executed by the electronic device. The screen may update the displayed content according to a refresh rate. A refresh rate may refer to a quantity of times a screen is updated (e.g., a number of refresh cycles) per a second. For example, if a screen is updated sixty times in a second, the screen may have a 60 hertz (Hz) refresh rate.

An electronic device may display images (which may refer generally to any displayed content) on a screen while executing one or more applications. The electronic device may refresh the screen to update the displayed image according to a periodicity or refresh rate. In some cases, a higher refresh rate (e.g., 90 hertz (Hz), 120 Hz, 240 Hz) may increase a user experience when compared to a lower refresh rate (e.g., 30 Hz, 60 Hz). For example, as video definition improves (e.g., as video streaming capabilities improve), data rates increase (e.g., for mobile devices), and as enhanced streaming and gaming applications become increasingly available for electronic devices, a lower refresh rate may inhibit—and thus a higher refresh rate may enhance-a user's experience.

As one example, advancements in cellular communications technology (e.g., 5G) may support cloud-based or other mobile gaming applications, virtual reality applications, or streaming (e.g., high definition video streaming) applications for which a screen refresh rate this is too low may inhibit a user's experience. An increase in screen refresh rate may, however, increase power consumption by the electronic device that includes the screen. For example, an electronic device that refreshes a screen at 90 Hz may consume more power than an electronic device that refreshes a screen at 30 Hz. In some cases (e.g., for a device with a limited battery such as a mobile device or laptop computer), increased power consumption may decrease battery life. Thus, a refresh rate that is optimal for user experience with some applications may not be optimal with respect to other performance considerations, such as battery life.

As described herein, an electronic device may support more than one refresh rate, as well as varying (e.g., increasing or decreasing) the refresh rate dynamically (e.g., autonomously, in real time, based on triggers or other criteria monitored and sensed by the electronic device). Thus, the electronic device may determine whether to utilize a lower refresh rate (e.g., to conserve power) or to utilize a higher refresh rate (e.g., to increase a user experience) while operating (e.g., while executing or preparing to execute one or more applications).

In some cases, the electronic device may select a screen refresh rate based on an application being executed or to soon be executed by the electronic device, and thus may vary the screen refresh rate in response to a change in application for which images are displayed, as different applications may benefit to a different degree from an increased refresh rate. For example, different refresh rates may be associated with different applications (e.g., through a lookup table or metadata associated with the applications. Thus, if the electronic device switches from executing a first application to executing a second application, the electronic device may switch from refreshing the screen according to a first refresh rate (e.g., associated with the first application) to refreshing the screen according to a second refresh rate (e.g., associated with the second application). As one such example, the electronic device may execute a gaming application according to a relatively higher refresh rate to enhance user experience, but if the electronic device switches to executing a different application (e.g., a texting application), the electronic device may dynamically decrease the refresh rate of a screen, as the decreased refresh rate may not inhibit a user experience for the different application and may provide power savings or other benefits. The electronic device may increase the refresh rate if the electronic device switches back to executing the gaming application.

Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device may dynamically adjust a refresh rate while executing and continuing to execute a single application. That is, the electronic device may increase or decrease the refresh rate depending on what aspects of an application are being executed. As one example, the electronic device may be executing a gaming application and may refresh the screen according to a higher refresh rate during periods of high activity gameplay and may refresh the screen according to a lower refresh wait during periods of relatively lower activity gameplay. Thus, the electronic device may use the dynamic refresh rate to autonomously balance user experience with other performance considerations (e.g., battery life) even without a change in executed application.

1 FIG. 2 3 FIGS.and 4 9 FIGS.- Features of the disclosure are further described below, including in the context of an exemplary electronic device as described with reference toand exemplary timing diagrams as described with reference to. These and other features of the disclosure are then further illustrated by and described with reference to the exemplary apparatus diagrams and flowcharts of.

1 FIG. 100 105 105 105 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 155 illustrates an example of a block diagramof an electronic devicethat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The electronic devicemay be any electronic device, such as a computer, a wireless communication device, a mobile device, a camera, a digital display, a television, or a control panel. The electronic devicemay include a memory, a processor, a screen, a sensor component, an input component, and a battery. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

105 160 105 110 140 115 105 120 115 140 120 145 120 150 120 145 150 110 115 145 150 105 120 The electronic devicemay include and be powered by a battery, which may include any number of separate batteries of any type. The electronic devicemay include memoryto store data and code related to one or more applicationsfor execution by the processor. The electronic devicemay further include a screento display graphics. For example, the processormay execute one or more applicationsand cause the screento display related content (e.g., images). The processor may include a refresh component, which may manage refreshes of the screen, and a refresh rate component, which may manage a refresh rate of the screen. In some examples, the functions associated with the refresh componentand the refresh rate componentmay be implemented as instructions stored in the memoryand executed by the processor. Additionally or alternatively, the functions associated with the refresh componentand the refresh rate componentmay be implemented by a combination of hardware (e.g., logic or special-purpose circuitry or any combination thereof) and/or software (e.g., firmware). The electronic devicemay dynamically (e.g., autonomously) adjust a refresh rate of the screen.

105 120 120 120 150 120 105 120 105 120 120 120 120 120 In some cases, the electronic devicemay include multiple screens. Additionally or alternatively, a display screenmay be a foldable screen. Where the electronic device includes multiple screensor multiple independently controllable screen portions, the refresh rate componentmay determine a refresh rate independently for each screen(e.g., if the electronic deviceincludes multiple screens) or for each portion of the screen(e.g., if the electronic deviceincludes a foldable display screenwith independently controllable portions). That is, each screenor portion of the screenmay be displayed using a refresh rate that is independent of a refresh rate used for a different screenor portion of the screen.

105 130 115 155 105 125 115 The electronic devicemay further include an input componentwhich may be configured to receive one or more inputs (e.g., from a user) and communicate the inputs to the processorby the bus. The electronic devicemay also include a sensor component, which may include any number and type of sensors (e.g., a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, among other examples) and provide sensor data to the processor.

110 105 110 140 110 105 110 115 110 115 110 110 The memorymay provide physical memory addresses/space for the electronic device. For example, the memorymay store data or code related to the one or more applications. The memoryalso may store data or code related to other operations performed by the electronic device. The memorymay receive access commands (e.g., read commands, write commands, refresh commands) from the processor. The memorymay execute the received access commands and, in some cases, transmit data to the processorin response to the access commands. The memorymay include any number of separate memory devices or dies and may include any type of memory, including multiple types of memory. For example, the memory devicemay include one or more of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), self-selecting memory, chalcogenide memory, or other type of memory.

115 110 105 115 110 140 115 115 110 115 The processormay be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memoryto cause the electronic deviceto perform various functions. For example, the processormay execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memoryassociated with one or more applications. The processormay include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processormay be configured to operate the memoryusing a memory controller, where the memory controller may be coupled with or included in the processor.

115 140 130 130 120 130 130 115 140 105 130 115 140 110 140 105 130 105 130 115 140 130 115 140 In some cases, the processormay execute applicationsbased on indications received from the input component. For example, the input componentmay include or be coupled with any number and type of user input components (e.g., the screenmay be a touchscreen and may provide input data to input component, or the input componentmay include or be coupled with a keypad, among other types of user input devices) or other components operable to receive information. For example, the processormay determine that a user has selected an applicationfor execution at the electronic devicebased on an indication from the input component(e.g., by a touch screen input). Here, the processormay select the applicationfor execution and communicate with the memoryto execute the applicationat the electronic device. In another example, the input componentmay receive data from another device. For example, the electronic devicemay be a mobile phone and the input componentmay receive wireless communications (e.g., from a base station). Based on the received data from another device, the processormay determine to execute an application. For example, if the input componentreceives a call (e.g., from a base station, from a mobile device), the processormay determine to execute the applicationassociated with receiving a phone call.

140 105 140 120 140 105 120 140 120 115 115 120 145 120 150 120 Executing an applicationat the electronic devicemay include displaying graphics associated with the applicationon the screen. For example, if the applicationis social media application, the electronic devicemay display a social media feed on the screen. In another example, if the applicationis a gaming application, the screenmay display images related to the game. When the processoris executing an application, the processormay refresh the screento update the displayed image according to a refresh rate. For example, the refresh componentmay be configured to refresh the screenaccording to a configured refresh rate and the refresh rate componentmay be configured to set (e.g., determine and adjust or otherwise configure) the refresh rate for the screen.

150 140 140 140 115 140 145 120 110 140 The refresh rate componentmay identify a default refresh rate associated with each application(e.g., a native refresh rate). For example, a default refresh rate for a text messaging applicationmay be 60 Hz. Additionally or alternatively, a default refresh rate for a gaming applicationmay be 120 Hz. When the processorinitiates an execution of an application, the refresh componentmay refresh the screenaccording to the default refresh rate. In some cases, default refresh rates may be stored in association with respective applications as part of a lookup table in memory. Additionally or alternatively, data or metadata included in an applicationmay identify (e.g., indicate) a default refresh rate for the application.

150 120 140 150 120 140 135 140 150 105 120 140 140 The refresh rate componentmay also determine to adjust a refresh rate of the screen(e.g., increase or decrease the refresh rate relative to the default refresh rate of an applicationbeing executed) based on one or more factors. For example, the refresh rate componentmay change the refresh rate of the screenbased on data associated with the applicationbeing executed by the processor (e.g., which portion of a game is being played, which portion of a video is being streamed), a power level of the battery, and one or more other factors such as user inputs, data associated with other applications, or environmental factors. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay enable the electronic deviceto dynamically adjust a refresh rate of the screenboth across applicationsand within applications.

150 120 150 120 105 150 150 120 150 In some cases, the refresh rate componentmay determine to adjust or set the refresh rate of the screenbased on an intermediate or other metric determined based on a combination of any number (e.g., two or more) factors described herein. For example, the refresh rate componentmay determine a refresh rate of the screenbased on a first factor (e.g., a likelihood of the user switching to a second application within some threshold amount of time, or likelihood of returning to the first application within some threshold amount of time after switching to the second application) in combination with a second factor (e.g., rate of user inputs, content generated by the application such as which stage of a game the user is playing, sensor data for the devicetime of day, etc.). In some cases, the refresh rate componentmay determine the metric by applying different weights or scaling factors (e.g., predetermined weights, dynamic weights) to different factors (e.g., the metric may comprise a weighted sum or weighted average of any number of factors for refresh rate determination or adjustment described herein), and the refresh rate componentmay determine a refresh rate for the screenbased on comparing the metric to one of more thresholds (e.g., determining a range within the metric falls). In some instances, the refresh rate componentmay utilize a machine-learned model (e.g., based on historic refresh rates and the data (factors) related to the determination thereof) to determine an appropriate refresh rate. The machine-learned model may be generated in view of any number of the factors for refresh rate determination or adjustment described herein.

145 120 120 120 Additionally or alternatively, the refresh componentmay determine the refresh rate for the screenbased on a user-selected operating mode. For example, the user may select a power-saving mode which may be associated with a relatively low refresh rate of the screen(e.g., 30 Hz, 60 Hz). In another example, the user may select a high-performance mode which may be associated with a relatively high refresh rate of the screen(e.g., 90 Hz-240 Hz).

140 140 150 140 140 140 150 140 150 140 140 150 120 140 155 155 150 120 In some cases, the applicationmay communicate (e.g., based on an indication, which may be called a trigger, embedded within the application) to the refresh rate componenta desired refresh rate while executing the application. For example, a gaming applicationmay have a default refresh rate of 120 Hz. The applicationalso may communicate a trigger to the refresh rate componentindicating different refresh rates based on a game scenario or screen display. For example, the applicationmay indicate, to the refresh rate component, a lower refresh rate (e.g., 90 Hz, 60 Hz, 30 Hz) during portions of the game with relatively low action or user interaction. In another example, a social media applicationmay have a default refresh rate of 60 Hz. The applicationmay communicate a trigger, to the refresh rate component, indicating a higher refresh rate (e.g., 90 Hz, 120 Hz) when the screenis configured to display a video associated with the application. In some other cases, the trigger may be based on a rate of data transfer over the bus. For example, as the data transfer rate over the busincreases, the refresh rate componentmay determine to increase the refresh rate of the screen.

150 120 125 130 125 130 120 105 105 105 125 130 150 150 120 125 150 125 105 150 120 105 150 Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate componentmay determine to adjust a refresh rate of the screenfrom a default refresh rate based on receiving one or more indications from the sensor componentor the input component. For example, the sensor componentor the input componentmay be operable to determine user inputs and related information (e.g., the pressure with which a user presses on the screenor a button of the electronic device, the angle at which a user tilts the electronic device, a rate at which a user rotates the electronic device). The sensor componentor the input componentcommunicate such to the refresh rate component. Based on such data, the refresh rate componentmay adjust the refresh rate of the screen. In one example, the sensor componentmay include a gyroscope sensor. Here, the refresh rate componentmay receive the gyroscope data from the sensor componentand determine if the angle of the electronic deviceis changing quickly (e.g., at a rate higher than a threshold rate). For example, a rapid change in angle may correspond to a game scenario (e.g., if the processor is executing a gaming application) with a large amount of action. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay increase a refresh rate of the screenin an event that the angle of the electronic deviceis changing rapidly, or the refresh rate componentmay decrease the refresh rate if the angle is changing slowly (e.g., at a rate below a threshold).

125 120 150 130 120 105 150 120 120 150 120 120 120 120 150 120 120 130 150 140 In another example, the sensor componentmay include a pressure sensor which may be coupled with the screen. The refresh rate componentmay receive the pressure sensor data from the input componentand determine if a pressure being exerted on the screenis greater than a threshold pressure. For example, increased pressure may correspond to a user interacting with the electronic deviceduring a high-action gaming scenario. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay increase the refresh rate of the screenif a large amount of pressure (e.g., a pressure greater than a threshold) is detected on the screen. Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate componentmay determine if a periodicity of pressure being exerted on the screenis greater than a threshold periodicity. For example, an increased periodicity of pressure being exerted on the screen(e.g., associated with a user rapidly pressing on the screen) may correspond to a high-action gaming scenario. As another example, the increased periodicity of pressure being exerted on the screenmay correspond to a fast scrolling scenario (e.g., quickly scrolling through a social media ‘feed’). Thus, the refresh rate componentmay increase a refresh rate of the screenwhen a periodicity of pressure being exerted on the screenincreases (e.g., beyond a threshold), or decrease the refresh rate if the periodicity decreases. As another example, the input componentmay collect image data from a camera of the electronic device. The refresh rate componentmay adjust a refresh rate based on a facial expression of a user captured by the camera (e.g., certain facial expressions may be associated with more or less intense interaction with an application, such as more or less intense gameplay).

150 120 140 140 150 140 120 150 105 140 150 120 135 140 105 150 120 135 150 140 120 105 150 120 105 150 120 135 The refresh rate componentmay adjust a refresh rate of the screenwhile executing a first applicationbased on data associated with one or more other applications. For example, the refresh rate componentmay receive data from or associated with a calendar applicationand adjust a refresh rate of the screenaccordingly. That is, the refresh rate componentmay determine that the electronic deviceis not likely to be charged during a time period based on an event indicated by the calendar application. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay decrease a refresh rate of the screento conserve power of the battery. As another example, the calendar applicationmay indicate that a user of the electronic devicehas a flight scheduled. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay determine to decrease a refresh rate of the screenduring a time period associated with the flight (e.g., during the flight, or with some window of the flight time) to preserve a power level of the battery. Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate componentmay receive data from a location application(e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) application) and adjust the refresh rate of the screenaccordingly. For example, if a location of the electronic deviceis associated with a charging station (e.g., a home of the user, a work of the user), the refresh rate componentmay increase a refresh rate of the screen. Alternatively, if the location of the electronic devicefails to be associated with a charging station (e.g., a subway, a friend's house), the refresh rate componentmay decrease a refresh rate of the screen(e.g., to conserve power of the battery).

150 120 115 140 140 150 140 140 150 120 145 120 145 120 140 140 140 145 120 140 140 Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate componentmay determine to adjust the refresh rate of the screenif the processorswitches from executing a first applicationto a second application. For example, the refresh rate componentmay determine to switch from a first default refresh rate associated with the first applicationto a second default refresh rate associated with the second application. In some cases, a difference between the first and second default refresh rates may be relatively large. For example, the first application may have a default refresh rate of 30 Hz while the second application may have a default refresh rate of 120 Hz. Here, the refresh rate componentmay increase the refresh rate of the screenin increments. For example, the refresh componentmay refresh the screenaccording to 30 Hz, then 60 Hz, then 90 Hz, and final 120 Hz. In some cases, the refresh componentmay refresh the screenat an intermediate refresh rate for a period of time (e.g., in case there is a return to the first application within the period of time). Thus, if the processor switches from executing the first applicationto the second applicationfor a short period of time prior to resuming an execution of the first application, the refresh componentmay not refresh the screenat the default refresh rate of the second applicationbut rather at the intermediate refresh rate and then again the default refresh rate of the first application.

150 120 135 150 135 150 105 105 150 120 140 135 In some cases, the refresh rate componentmay determine to adjust the refresh rate of the screenfrom the default refresh rate based on a power level of the battery. For example, the refresh rate componentmay determine that a power level of the batteryis below a threshold. Here, the refresh rate componentmay determine to prioritize a power consumption of the electronic deviceto a user experience associated with using the electronic device. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay decrease the refresh rate of the screenfrom the default refresh rate of the applicationto conserve a power level of the battery.

105 135 115 130 125 150 120 115 120 130 125 105 105 150 120 105 150 120 105 As one illustrative example, the electronic devicemay be a mobile phone, and a user may be playing a high-end graphic game while a level of the batteryis at or near 100%. The processormay determine that the user is playing the game with full intensity (e.g., above a threshold) based on one or more user inputs received by the input componentor sensor data detected by sensor component, and thus the refresh rate componentmay configure the refresh rate for the screento be the highest supported refresh rate. For example, the processormay determine that the user is playing the game with full intensity based on the user pushing the screenfrequently and thus providing a high rate of user inputs to input component, or with a high pressure as detected by sensor component. The user then may set the electronic devicedown. For example, the user may receive a phone call, or there may be a knock on the user's door, which may cause the user to set down the electronic device. Subsequently, the refresh rate componentmay determine to decrease a refresh rate of the screenafter one minute of no user interaction (e.g., while the electronic deviceis set down), as the user inputs may cease. Thus, the refresh rate componentmay dynamically adjust the refresh rate of the screendown from the previous high refresh rate (e.g., to the lowest supported refresh rate), which may increase a battery life of the electronic device.

2 FIG. 1 FIG. 200 200 205 210 215 200 illustrates an example of a timing diagramfor a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the timing diagrammay illustrate various screen refresh rates (e.g.,,, and) that an electronic device utilizes with respect to time. The electronic device may include aspects of the electronic device as described with reference to. For example, the electronic device may include a refresh component that refreshes a screen of the electronic device according to a refresh rate and a refresh rate component that sets (e.g., adjusts) the refresh rate based on one or more factors. The timing diagrammay illustrate changes in refresh rates as the electronic device executes a first application, a second application, and a third application.

205 210 215 Refresh ratemay be a relatively low refresh rate, such as 30 Hz-60 Hz. Refresh ratemay be an intermediate refresh rate, such as 60 Hz-120 Hz. Refresh ratemay be a relatively high refresh rate such as 90 Hz-240 Hz. It is to be understood that these and any other numeric examples herein are solely for clarity of illustrating the concepts described herein and are not limiting. Table 1, shown below, indicates an example relationship between a type of application and a default refresh rate.

TABLE 1 Default Refresh Rates for Applications Application Type Default Refresh Rate (Hz) High-end graphics Fastest refresh rate Mid-range graphs Moderate refresh rate Low speed graphics Lowest refresh rate Any number of different refresh rates may be supported, and applications may be assigned corresponding default refresh rates in grouped or individual fashion, with assignments based on application type, associated metadata, user settings, or other criteria.

200 215 205 210 205 210 215 In the example of timing diagram, the first application may be a high-end graphics application (e.g., a high-end gaming application, a high definition video application, or another application for which a high refresh rate is advantageous) and may be associated with the fastest default refresh rate. The second application may be a low speed graphics application (e.g., a low speed gaming application, a text-based application, or another application for which a high refresh rate is not advantageous) and may be associated with a lowest default refresh rate. For example, the second application may be a text messaging application or a phone call application. The third application may be a mid-range graphics application (e.g., a mid-range gaming application or another application for which a high refresh rate is moderately advantageous) and may be associated with a moderate refresh rate. When the electronic device switches from executing one application to another application, a refresh rate component of the electronic device may determine which refresh rate (e.g., refresh rate, refresh rate, or refresh rate) to select based on one or more factors, including a default refresh rate of the application being executed.

220 215 215 215 215 205 210 At, the electronic device may be executing a first application according to the refresh rate. Refresh ratemay be a relatively high refresh rate (e.g., 120 Hz, 240 Hz). The first application may be a gaming application with a default refresh rate of refresh rate. A refresh rate component of the electronic device may determine to refresh the screen according to the default refresh ratebased on determining that a battery of the electronic device has a power level above a threshold value. Additionally, the refresh rate component may determine that an operating mode of the electronic device does not indicate a different refresh rate (e.g., a low-power operating mode associated with a lower refresh rateor).

225 205 210 210 205 215 210 210 205 215 205 210 205 215 210 At, the electronic device may switch to executing a second application (e.g., in response to user input). The second application may be associated with the refresh ratewhich may be a relatively low refresh rate (e.g., 30 Hz, 60 Hz). In some cases, the electronic device may adjust (e.g., automatically, autonomously, without additional or related user input) the refresh rate to an intermediate refresh ratebased on switching from executing the first application to executing the second application. That is, the refresh component may determine to switch to the intermediate refresh raterather than the default refresh rate. In some cases, incremental changes in refresh rates (e.g., refresh rateto refresh rate, refresh rateto refresh rate) may conserve more power when compared to larger changes in refresh rates (e.g., refresh rateto refresh rate). Additionally or alternatively, the second application may be generally associated with a relatively short execution time (e.g., under five minutes). Here, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the intermediate refresh ratefor a time period (e.g., five minutes) prior to adjusting the refresh rate to the default refresh rate. The time period may be predefined or predetermined. In some cases, if the electronic device switches to executing the first application during the time period (e.g., within five minutes), the electronic device may adjust the refresh rate back to refresh ratefrom the intermediate refresh rate.

230 205 205 205 225 230 230 205 At, the electronic device may select the refresh rateand begin refreshing the screen of the electronic device according to the refresh rate. In some cases, the electronic device may select the refresh ratebased on not detecting a switch from the second application to the first application within the time period (e.g., five minutes). For example, the time period may begin atand end at. Thus, atif the electronic device is still executing the second application, the electronic device may adjust the refresh rate to the refresh rate, which may be a default refresh rate of the second application.

235 215 215 215 210 At, the electronic device may switch to executing the first application. As discussed above, the first application may be a high-speed gaming application with a default refresh rate. Here, the refresh rate component may select the refresh ratebased on determining that a power level of the battery remains above the threshold power level. Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate component may select the refresh rate(e.g., as opposed to an intermediate refresh rate) based on an operating mode of the electronic device. For example, a user may have manually selected a high-definition mode associated with higher refresh rates (e.g., when associated with by an application being executed).

240 210 210 205 210 205 At, the electronic device may begin executing the second application. The electronic device may adjust the refresh rate to an intermediate refresh ratebased on switching from executing the first application to executing the second application. That is, the refresh component may determine to switch to the intermediate refresh raterather than the default refresh rate. Here, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the intermediate refresh ratefor a time period (e.g., five minutes) prior to adjusting the refresh rate to the default refresh rate. In some cases, the time period may be proportional to a predicted amount of time that a user spends using the application (e.g., based on monitoring historical amounts of time the user spends using the application). That is, the time period may increase if the predicted amount of time increases and the time period may decrease if the predicted amount of time decreases. In some cases, such as if the second application is a gaming application, the time period may be different based on a time of day. For example, during a morning time or an evening time, the time period may be greater than during an afternoon time. In another example, the time period may be adjusted based on user input. For example, if the user inputs (e.g., detected by a pressure sensor) are rapid or associated with a high pressure, the time period may be greater than if the user inputs are less rapid or associated with less pressure. Additionally or alternatively, a state of the application may impact the time period. For example, if the application is associated with an end stage of a game, the time period may be greater than if the application is associated with an early or middle stage of a game.

245 240 245 210 205 240 245 245 210 At, the electronic device may begin executing the third application. In some cases, an amount of time betweenandmay be less than the time period for use of the intermediate refresh rate. Therefore, the electronic device may not refresh the screen according to the default refresh rate (e.g., refresh rate) of the second application in betweenand. Instead, at, the electronic device may continue to refresh the screen at refresh rate.

210 210 In some cases, the electronic device may continue to refresh the screen at refresh ratebecause the default refresh rate for the third application may be refresh rate(e.g., the electronic device may not change refresh rate at every switch between applications, as two applications may have the same default refresh rate, or an application may otherwise have the same default refresh rate as that being used at the time of the switch).

250 205 250 205 205 In some cases, when switching to a new application, or while executing an application, the electronic device may select to refresh the screen according to a refresh rate that is different that the default rate of the target (switched-to) application based on one or more factors. For example, at, the electronic device may begin refreshing the screen at refresh ratewhile continuing to execute the third application. In a first example, a power of the battery may be detected atas being below a threshold power level. Thus, the refresh rate component may use a refresh rate that is lower than the default rate to conserve power. Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate component may receive data from a different application (e.g., a calendar application, a location application, or a settings application). In one example, the refresh rate component may determine that the user has a schedule indicating an extended amount of time without access to power (e.g., due to a flight, due to work, due to other scheduled events). Thus, the electronic device may decrease the refresh rate to refresh rateto conserve power. In another example, the refresh rate component may determine that the user is at a location not associated with a power source (e.g., a subway, work) and may decrease the refresh rate to refresh rateto conserve power.

205 210 205 205 In another example, the third application may indicate the slower refresh rateto the refresh rate component. For example, the third application may include a trigger indicating to adjust the refresh rateto the refresh rate. In some cases, this may be correlated with a portion of the gaming application associated with a decrease in activity. Thus, a decrease in refresh rate to refresh ratemay not result in a similar decrease in user experience.

3 FIG. 1 2 FIGS.and 300 300 305 310 315 300 illustrates an example of a timing diagramfor a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the timing diagrammay illustrate various screen refresh rates (e.g.,,, and) that an electronic device utilizes with respect to time. The electronic device may include aspects of the electronic device as described with reference to. For example, the electronic device may include a refresh component that refreshes a screen of the electronic device according to a refresh rate and a refresh rate component that determines to adjust the refresh rate based on one or more factors. The timing diagrammay illustrate changes in refresh rates as the electronic device executes a single first application.

305 310 315 300 310 Refresh ratemay be a relatively low refresh rate, such as 30 Hz-60 Hz. Refresh ratemay be an intermediate refresh rate, such as 60 Hz-120 Hz. Refresh ratemay be a relatively high refresh rate such as 90 Hz-240 Hz. In the example of timing diagram, the first application may be associated with a default of refresh rate. The refresh rate component may determine to adjust the refresh rate of the screen at various times based on one or more factors.

320 310 310 305 315 At, the electronic device may be executing the first application according to the default refresh rate. The refresh rate component of the electronic device may determine to refresh the screen according to the default refresh ratebased on determining that a battery of the electronic device has a power level above a threshold value. Additionally, the refresh rate component may determine that an operating mode of the electronic device does not indicate a different refresh rate (e.g., a low-power operating mode associated with a lower refresh rateor a high-definition operating mode associated with a higher refresh rate).

325 315 310 315 315 At, the electronic device may select the refresh rateand adjust the refresh rate from refresh rateto refresh rate. In one example, the refresh rate component may adjust the refresh rate to refresh ratebased on one or more inputs (e.g., received from a user, received from a sensor). That is, an input component of electronic device may receive sensor data associated with a user input. For example, the refresh rate component may increase the refresh rate of the screen based on an amount of pressure on the screen being greater than a threshold amount of pressure on the screen. Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate component may increase the refresh rate of the screen based on a periodicity of pressure on the screen being greater than a threshold periodicity. In another example, the refresh rate component may increase the refresh rate of the screen based on data from a sensor such as a gyroscope. That is, the angle of the electronic device may exceed a threshold angle resulting in the increased refresh rate. In some other cases, the refresh rate component may increase the refresh rate of the screen based on a detected rate of data over a bus of the electronic device exceeding a threshold.

330 305 315 305 305 305 305 330 335 305 330 335 305 305 At, the electronic device may select the refresh rateand adjust the refresh rate from refresh rateto refresh rate. In some cases, the refresh rate component may adjust the refresh rate to refresh ratebased on an indication from the application. For example, the application may indicate (e.g., by a trigger) to the refresh component to adjust the refresh rate to refresh rate. In some cases, the indication may indicate that a user experience may not be impacted (or in some cases, may be minimally impacted) by the lower refresh rateduring a time period fromto. In some other cases, the refresh rate component may adjust the refresh rate to refresh ratebased on data received from another application (e.g., a calendar application, a location application). For example, the refresh rate component may determine that the electronic device is not likely to be charged during a time period fromtobased on an event indicated by the calendar application. Thus, the refresh rate component may decrease a refresh rate of the screen to refresh rateto conserve power of the battery. In another example, the refresh rate component may receive data from a location application (e.g., a GPS application) and determine that a location of the electronic device is not associated with a charging station (e.g., a subway, a friend's house). Thus, the refresh rate component may decrease a refresh rate of the screen to refresh rateto conserve power.

335 315 305 310 305 310 310 At, the electronic device may select the refresh rateand adjust the refresh rate from refresh rateto refresh rate. The refresh rate component may adjust the refresh rateto refresh ratebased on a user-selected operating mode. For example, the user may have selected a high-definition mode associated with the higher refresh rate.

340 305 310 305 305 310 310 305 305 305 At, the electronic device may select the refresh rateand adjust the refresh rate from refresh rateto refresh rate. In some cases, the refresh ratemay be less than a default refresh rateassociated with the first application. The refresh rate component may determine to adjust the refresh rate based on one or more factors. In a first example, a power of the battery may drop below a threshold power level. Thus, the refresh rate component may decrease the refresh rate from refresh rateto refresh rateto conserve power. Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate component may receive data from a different application (e.g., a calendar application, a location application). In one example, the refresh rate component may determine that the user has a schedule indicating an extended amount of time without access to power (e.g., due to a flight, due to work, due to other scheduled events). Thus, the electronic device may decrease the refresh rate to refresh rateto conserve power. In another example, the refresh rate component may determine that the user is at a location not associated with a power source (e.g., a subway, work) and may decrease the refresh rate to refresh rateto conserve power.

305 In another example, the refresh rate component may determine to operate at the lower refresh ratebased on a user-selected operating mode (e.g., a power-conservation mode).

It is to be understood that any type of basis described herein for setting or adjusting a screen refresh rate may be a basis for either increasing or decreasing the refresh rate (e.g., a trigger embedded in an application may be configured to cause an increase in refresh rate or to cause a decrease in refresh rate), either when switching between applications or while executing a same application, depending on implementation.

4 FIG. 1 3 FIGS.through 400 405 405 405 410 415 420 425 405 shows a block diagramof an electronic devicethat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The electronic devicemay be an example of aspects of an electronic device as described with reference to. The electronic devicemay include an application identifier, a refresh rate selection component, a screen refresh manager, and an input manager. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses). In some examples, the devicemay be a mobile device (e.g. a smartphone).

410 405 410 405 415 405 405 420 In some examples, the application identifiermay identify an application for execution at the device. For example, the application identifiermay monitor what application is associated with a thread currently being executed by a processor of the device. The refresh rate selection componentmay select a refresh rate for a screen of the devicebased on identifying the application, the refresh rate selected from one of a set of refresh rates supported by the devicefor the screen. The screen refresh managermay refresh the screen according to the refresh rate concurrent with executing the application.

410 420 405 415 420 405 420 405 In some examples, the application identifiermay identify, while the screen refresh manageris refreshing the screen according to the refresh rate, a second application for execution at the device. The refresh rate selection componentmay select a second refresh rate for the screen based on identifying the second application. The screen refresh managermay refresh the screen according to the second refresh rate while the deviceis executing the second application. In some examples, the screen refresh managermay refresh the screen according to a third refresh rate concurrent with the second application being executed at the deviceand before refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate, where the third refresh rate is between the refresh rate and the second refresh rate.

410 420 In some examples, the application identifiermay monitor for a switch from the second application to the first application while the screen refresh manageris refreshing the screen according to the third refresh rate, where refreshing the screen according to a second refresh rate is based on not detecting any switch to the first application for at least a threshold amount of time.

405 420 In some examples, the application may be executed at the devicefor a duration, and the screen may be refreshed according to the refresh rate for a first portion of the duration. Here, the screen refresh managermay refresh the screen according to a different refresh rate for a second portion of the duration.

425 415 405 In some examples, the input managermay identify, based on source code for the application, an indication to adjust the refresh rate for the screen. The refresh rate selection componentmay adjust, concurrent with execution of the application at the device, the refresh rate for the screen based on the indication.

425 405 415 In some examples, the input managermay identify, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, an amount of pressure on the screen. The refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen based on the amount of pressure on the screen.

425 405 415 In some examples, the input managermay identify, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, a rate of user inputs associated with the application. The refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen based on the rate of user inputs.

425 405 405 415 In some examples, the input managermay identify, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, sensor data for the device. In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen based on the sensor data.

425 405 405 415 In some examples, the input managermay identify, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, a rate of data transfer over a bus within the device. The refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen based on the rate of data transfer.

425 405 415 415 425 405 In some examples, the input managermay identify a state of a battery for the device, where selecting the refresh rate is based on the state of the battery. For example, the refresh rate selection componentmay identify a default refresh rate associated with the application, and the refresh rate selection componentmay determine an adjustment to the default refresh rate based on the state of the battery, where the refresh rate is based on the default refresh rate and the adjustment. In some examples, the input managermay determine that the state of the battery corresponds to an amount of charge that is below a threshold amount, where the refresh rate is selected as the lowest of the set of refresh rates supported by the devicebased on the amount of charge being below the threshold amount.

425 405 405 In some examples, the input managermay evaluate data associated with another application hosted by the device, where the refresh rate is selected as the lowest of the set of refresh rates supported by the devicebased on the data. The data may include usage data, calendar data, travel data, or any combination thereof.

420 405 405 410 405 415 420 In some examples, the screen refresh managermay refresh a screen of the deviceaccording to a first refresh rate while executing a first application at the device. In some examples, the application identifiermay detect, while the deviceis executing a first application, a switch to a second application. In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay identify, based on detecting the switch (e.g., from executing the first application to executing the second application), a second refresh rate associated with the second application. For example, the screen refresh managermay refresh the screen according to the second refresh rate concurrent with executing the second application.

425 405 In some examples, the input managermay identify an amount of charge for a battery of the device, where refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate is based on the amount of charge satisfying a threshold.

425 420 405 405 405 In some examples, the input managermay identify a trigger for a third refresh rate while executing the second application. The screen refresh managermay refresh the screen according the third refresh rate while continuing to execute the second application. In some examples, the trigger includes an indication included in the application, a rate of commands received by the device, sensor data associated with the device, or a data transfer rate associated with the device.

410 405 415 405 415 415 415 415 In some examples, the application identifiermay detect a switch from a first application being executed at the deviceto a second application. The refresh rate selection componentmay adjust, based on detecting the switch, a refresh rate for a screen of the devicefrom a first refresh rate associated with the first application to a second refresh rate. The refresh rate selection componentmay monitor for a condition while the screen is refreshed according to the second refresh rate. For example, the refresh rate selection componentmay monitor for the condition periodically (e.g., at periodic intervals) during a monitoring period (e.g., predetermined amount of time). Additionally or alternatively, the refresh rate selection componentmay monitor for the condition in response to a predetermined trigger condition (event). In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen based on whether the condition is satisfied (e.g., in response to determining that the condition is satisfied).

415 In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to a third refresh rate based on the condition being satisfied. In some examples, the second refresh rate may be between the first refresh rate and the third refresh rate. In some examples, the third refresh rate may be associated with the second application.

415 415 In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to (e.g., back to) the first refresh rate based on the condition being unsatisfied. For example, the refresh rate selection componentmay adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to the first refresh rate in response to determining that the condition is not satisfied.

415 In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay cease monitoring for the condition based on a duration of the monitoring reaching a threshold amount of time.

405 405 In some examples, the condition includes the second application being executed at the devicefor at least a threshold amount of time after the switch. In some examples, the condition includes the second application being continuously executed at the devicefor at least a threshold amount of time after the switch. In some examples, the condition includes the screen being refreshed according to the second refresh rate for at least a threshold amount of time after the switch.

415 415 In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay determine the second refresh rate based on the first refresh rate and a third refresh rate associated with the second application. In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay identify the third refresh rate based on an evaluation of the source code for the second application.

415 415 405 415 In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay access a lookup table based on detecting the switch. The refresh rate selection componentor another component of the devicemay store the lookup table. In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay identify the third refresh rate based on an entry in the lookup table for the second application.

415 415 405 405 405 In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay determine a likelihood of a second switch from the second application to the first application, where the condition includes the likelihood being below a threshold for a duration of the monitoring. In some examples, the refresh rate selection componentmay determine the likelihood of the second switch based on a rate of user inputs to the device, rate of data transfer over a bus within the device, a portion of the first application being executed prior to the switch from the first application to the second application, data associated with another application hosted by the device, or any combination thereof.

5 FIG. 4 FIG. 500 500 500 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methodsthat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of methodmay be implemented by an electronic device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of methodmay be performed by an electronic device as described with reference to. In some examples, an electronic device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the electronic device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

505 505 505 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify an application for execution at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

510 510 510 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may select a refresh rate for a screen of the device based on identifying the application, the refresh rate selected from one of a set of refresh rates supported by the device for the screen. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

515 515 515 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the refresh rate concurrent with executing the application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

500 In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method. The apparatus may include features, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code including instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device) for identifying an application for execution at the device, selecting a refresh rate for a screen of the device based on identifying the application, the refresh rate selected from one of a set of refresh rates supported by the device for the screen, and refreshing the screen according to the refresh rate concurrent with executing the application.

500 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, while refreshing the screen according to the refresh rate, a second application for execution at the device, selecting a second refresh rate for the screen based on identifying the second application, and refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate concurrent with executing the second application.

500 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for refreshing the screen according to a third refresh rate concurrent with executing the second application at the device and before refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate, where the third refresh rate may be between the refresh rate and the second refresh rate.

500 Some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for monitoring for a switch from the second application to the first application while refreshing the screen according to the third refresh rate, where refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate may be based on not detecting any switch to the first application for at least a threshold amount of time.

500 500 In some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the application may be executed at the device for a duration and the screen may be refreshed according to the refresh rate for a first portion of the duration. Here, the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for refreshing the screen according to a different refresh rate for a second portion of the duration.

500 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, based on source code for the application, an indication to adjust the refresh rate for the screen, and adjusting, concurrent with execution of the application at the device, the refresh rate for the screen based on the indication.

500 Some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, an amount of pressure on the screen, and adjusting the refresh rate for the screen based on the amount of pressure on the screen.

500 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, a rate of user inputs associated with the application, and adjusting the refresh rate for the screen based on the rate of user inputs.

500 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, sensor data for the device, and adjusting the refresh rate for the screen based on the sensor data.

500 Some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, concurrent with execution of the application on the device, a rate of data transfer over a bus within the device, and adjusting the refresh rate for the screen based on the rate of data transfer.

500 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a state of a battery for the device, where selecting the refresh rate may be based on the state of the battery.

500 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a default refresh rate associated with the application, and determining an adjustment to the default refresh rate based on the state of the battery, where the refresh rate may be based on the default refresh rate and the adjustment.

500 Some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that the state of the battery corresponds to an amount of charge that may be below a threshold amount, where the refresh rate may be selected as the lowest of the set of refresh rates supported by the device based on the amount of charge being below the threshold amount.

500 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for evaluating data associated with another application hosted by the device, where the refresh rate may be selected as the lowest of the set of refresh rates supported by the device based on the data.

500 In some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the data includes usage data, calendar data, travel data, or any combination thereof.

500 In some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the device includes a mobile device.

6 FIG. 4 FIG. 600 600 600 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methodsthat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of methodmay be implemented by an electronic device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of methodmay be performed by an electronic device as described with reference to. In some examples, an electronic device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the electronic device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

605 605 605 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify an application for execution at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

610 610 610 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may select a refresh rate for a screen of the device based on identifying the application, the refresh rate selected from one of a set of refresh rates supported by the device for the screen. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

615 615 615 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the refresh rate concurrent with executing the application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

620 620 620 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify, while refreshing the screen according to the refresh rate, a second application for execution at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

625 625 625 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may select a second refresh rate for the screen based on identifying the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

630 630 630 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the second refresh rate concurrent with executing the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

7 FIG. 4 FIG. 700 700 700 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methodsthat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of methodmay be implemented by an electronic device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of methodmay be performed by an electronic device as described with reference to. In some examples, an electronic device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the electronic device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

705 705 705 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify an application for execution at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

710 710 710 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may select a refresh rate for a screen of the device based on identifying the application, the refresh rate selected from one of a set of refresh rates supported by the device for the screen. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

715 715 715 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the refresh rate concurrent with executing the application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

720 720 720 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify, while refreshing the screen according to the refresh rate, a second application for execution at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

725 725 725 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may select a second refresh rate for the screen based on identifying the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

730 730 730 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may monitor for a switch from the second application to the first application while refreshing the screen according to the third refresh rate that is between the refresh rate and the second refresh rate. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

735 735 735 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the second refresh rate concurrent with executing the second application, where refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate is based on not detecting any switch to the first application for at least a threshold amount of time. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

8 FIG. 4 FIG. 800 800 800 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methodsthat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of methodmay be implemented by an electronic device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of methodmay be performed by an electronic device as described with reference to. In some examples, an electronic device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the electronic device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

805 805 805 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh a screen of the device according to a first refresh rate while executing a first application at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

810 810 810 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may detect, while executing the first application at a device, a switch to a second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

815 815 815 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify, based on detecting the switch, a second refresh rate associated with the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

820 820 820 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the second refresh rate while executing the second application at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

800 In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method. The apparatus may include features, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code including instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device) for refreshing a screen of the device according to a first refresh rate while executing a first application at the device, detecting, while executing the first application at a device, a switch to a second application, identifying, based on detecting the switch, a second refresh rate associated with the second application, and refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate while executing the second application at the device.

800 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying an amount of charge for a battery of the device, where refreshing the screen according to the second refresh rate may be based on the amount of charge satisfying a threshold.

800 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a trigger for a third refresh rate while executing the second application, and refreshing the screen according the third refresh rate while continuing to execute the second application.

800 In some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the trigger includes an indication included in the application, a rate of commands received by the device, sensor data associated with the device, or a data transfer rate associated with the device.

9 FIG. 4 FIG. 900 900 900 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methodsthat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of methodmay be implemented by an electronic device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of methodmay be performed by an electronic device as described with reference to. In some examples, an electronic device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the electronic device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

905 905 905 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh a screen of the device according to a first refresh rate while executing a first application at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

910 910 910 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may detect, while executing the first application at a device, a switch to a second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

915 915 915 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify, based on detecting the switch, a second refresh rate associated with the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

920 920 920 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according to the second refresh rate while executing the second application at the device. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

925 925 925 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may identify a trigger for a third refresh rate while executing the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an input manager as described with reference to.

930 930 930 4 FIG. At, the electronic device may refresh the screen according the third refresh rate while continuing to execute the second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a screen refresh manager as described with reference to.

10 FIG. 4 FIG. 1000 1000 1000 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methodsthat supports a dynamic screen refresh rate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of methodmay be implemented by an electronic device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of methodmay be performed by an electronic device as described with reference to. In some examples, an electronic device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the electronic device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

1005 1005 1005 10 FIG. At, the electronic device may detect a switch from a first application being executed at the electronic device to a second application. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by an application identifier as described with reference to.

1010 1010 1010 10 FIG. At, the electronic device may adjust, based on detecting the switch, a refresh rate for a screen of the electronic device from a first refresh rate associated with the first application to a second refresh rate. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

1015 1015 1015 10 FIG. At, the electronic device may monitor for a condition while the screen is refreshed according to the second refresh rate. The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

1020 1020 1020 10 FIG. At, the electronic device may adjust the refresh rate for the screen based on whether the condition is satisfied (e.g., in response to determining whether the condition is satisfied). The operations ofmay be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations ofmay be performed by a refresh rate selection component as described with reference to.

1000 In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method. The apparatus may include features, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code including instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device) for detecting a switch from a first application being executed at the electronic device to a second application, adjusting, based on detecting the switch, a refresh rate for a screen of the electronic device from a first refresh rate associated with the first application to a second refresh rate, monitoring for a condition while the screen is refreshed according to the second refresh rate, and adjusting the refresh rate for the screen based on whether the condition is satisfied (e.g., in response to determining whether the condition is satisfied).

1000 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for adjusting the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to a third refresh rate based on the condition being satisfied.

1000 In some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the second refresh rate may be between the first refresh rate and the third refresh rate.

1000 In some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the third refresh rate may be associated with the second application.

1000 1000 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for adjusting the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to the first refresh rate based on the condition being unsatisfied. For example, the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for adjusting the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to the first refresh rate in response to determining that the condition is not satisfied.

1000 Some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for ceasing to monitor for the condition based on a duration of the monitoring reaching a threshold amount of time.

1000 In some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the condition includes the second application being executed at the electronic device for at least a threshold amount of time after the switch.

1000 In some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the condition includes the second application being continuously executed at the electronic device for at least a threshold amount of time after the switch.

1000 In some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the condition includes the screen being refreshed according to the second refresh rate for at least a threshold amount of time after the switch.

1000 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining the second refresh rate based on the first refresh rate and a third refresh rate associated with the second application.

1000 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the third refresh rate based on an evaluation of the source code for the second application.

1000 Some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for accessing a lookup table based on detecting the switch, and identifying the third refresh rate based on an entry in the lookup table for the second application.

1000 Some examples of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining a likelihood of a second switch from the second application to the first application, where the condition includes the likelihood being below a threshold for a duration of the monitoring.

1000 Some cases of the methodand the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining the likelihood of the second switch based on a rate of user inputs to the device, rate of data transfer over a bus within the electronic device, a portion of the first application being executed prior to the switch from the first application to the second application, data associated with another application hosted by the electronic device, or any combination thereof.

1000 In some instances of the methodand the apparatus described herein, the electronic device includes a mobile device.

It should be noted that the methods described herein are possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, portions from two or more of the methods may be combined.

An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include an application component operable to execute applications, a screen coupled with the application component and operable to display images associated with the applications, a refresh component coupled with the screen and operable to refresh the screen according to a configurable refresh rate, and a refresh rate component coupled with the refresh component and operable to configure the refresh rate to be different for a second application than for a first application.

In some examples, the refresh rate component may be further operable to configure the refresh rate to be different for a first portion of the first application than for a second portion of the first application.

Some cases of the apparatus may include a battery, where the refresh rate component may be further operable to configure the refresh rate based on a state of the battery.

In some instances, the refresh rate component may be further operable to adjust the refresh rate based on an indication received from the application component.

Some examples of the apparatus may include an input component coupled with the refresh rate component and operable to receive user inputs, where the refresh rate component may be further operable to configure the refresh rate based on a rate of user inputs.

Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include an application component operable to execute applications, a screen coupled with the application component and operable to display images associated with the applications, a refresh component coupled with the screen and operable to refresh the screen according to a configurable refresh rate, and a refresh rate component coupled with the refresh component.

The refresh rate component may be operable to configure the refresh rate to be a first refresh rate based at least in part on a first application being executed, configure the refresh rate to be a second refresh rate based at least in part on a second application being executed, and configure the refresh rate to be an intermediate refresh rate for at least a duration after a switch from the first application being executed to the second application being executed, the intermediate refresh rate between the first refresh rate and the second refresh rate.

In some examples, the refresh rate component may be further operable to monitor for a condition during the duration after the switch, and adjust the refresh rate from the intermediate refresh rate to the second refresh rate based at least in part on the condition being satisfied.

In some examples, the refresh rate component may be further operable to adjust the refresh rate from the intermediate refresh rate to the first refresh rate based at least in part on the condition being unsatisfied. For example, the refresh rate component may be further operable to adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to the first refresh rate in response to determining that the condition is not satisfied.

In some examples, the condition may include the second application being executed continuously during the duration after the switch.

In some examples, the condition may include a likelihood of a second switch from the second application to the first application being below a threshold.

In some examples, the refresh rate component may be further operable to determine the intermediate refresh rate based at least in part on an average of the first refresh rate and the second refresh rate.

Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and a screen coupled with the processor. The apparatus may further include instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to detect a switch from a first application being executed to a second application, adjust, based at least in part on detecting the switch, a refresh rate for the screen from a first refresh rate associated with the first application to a second refresh rate, monitor for a condition while the screen is refreshed according to the second refresh rate, and adjust the refresh rate for the screen based at least in part on whether the condition is satisfied (e.g., in response to determining whether the condition is satisfied).

In some examples, the instructions may be further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to a third refresh rate associated with the second application based at least in part on the condition being satisfied.

In some examples, the second refresh rate may be between the first refresh rate and the third refresh rate.

In some examples, the instructions may be further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to the first refresh rate based at least in part on the condition being unsatisfied. For example, the instructions may be further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to adjust the refresh rate for the screen from the second refresh rate to the first refresh rate in response to determining that the condition is not satisfied.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. Some drawings may illustrate signals as a single signal; however, it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the signal may represent a bus of signals, where the bus may have a variety of bit widths.

The terms “electronic communication,” “conductive contact,” “connected,” and “coupled” may refer to a relationship between components that supports the flow of signals between the components. Components are considered in electronic communication with (or in conductive contact with or connected with or coupled with) one another if there is any conductive path between the components that can, at any time, support the flow of signals between the components. At any given time, the conductive path between components that are in electronic communication with each other (or in conductive contact with or connected with or coupled with) may be an open circuit or a closed circuit based on the operation of the device that includes the connected components. The conductive path between connected components may be a direct conductive path between the components or the conductive path between connected components may be an indirect conductive path that may include intermediate components, such as switches, transistors, or other components. In some examples, the flow of signals between the connected components may be interrupted for a time, for example, using one or more intermediate components such as switches or transistors.

The term “coupling” refers to condition of moving from an open-circuit relationship between components in which signals are not presently capable of being communicated between the components over a conductive path to a closed-circuit relationship between components in which signals can be communicated between components over the conductive path. When a component, such as a controller, couples other components together, the component initiates a change that allows signals to flow between the other components over a conductive path that previously did not permit signals to flow.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details to providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.